Euonymus plant named ‘Hooij’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Euonymus  plant named ‘Hooij’, characterized by its compact outwardly spreading plant habit; yellow and dark green variegated leaves with random speckles; and leaves twisting in aspect.

Botanical designation: Euonymus fortunei.

Cultivar denomination: ‘HOOIJ’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofEuonymus, grown as an ornamental shrub, botanically known as Euonymusfortunei and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Hooij’.

The new Euonymus is a naturally-occurring branch mutation of theEuonymus fortunei cultivar Sunspot, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.4,340. The new Euonymus was discovered and selection by the Inventorfrom within a population of plants of the cultivar Sunspot in acontrolled environment in Ederveen, The Netherlands in March, 2001.

Asexual reproduction of the new Euonymus by cuttings in a controlledenvironment in Ederveen. The Netherlands since June, 2001, has shownthat the unique features of this new Euonymus are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar Hooij has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature andlight intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Hooij’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Hooij’ as a new and distinct cultivar ofEuonymus:

-   -   1. Compact outwardly spreading plant habit.    -   2. Yellow and dark green variegated leaves with random speckles.    -   3. Leaves twisting in aspect.

Plants of the new Euonymus differ from plants of the parent, thecultivar Sunspot, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Euonymus are more twisting than        leaves of plants of the cultivar Sunspot.    -   2. Plants of the new Euonymus and the cultivar Sunspot differ in        leaf coloration as plants of the cultivar Sunspot are not        speckled.

Plants of the new Euonymus can also be compared to plants of thecultivar Harlequin, not patented. Plants of the new Euonymus differ fromplants of the cultivar Harlequin in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Euonymus are more tolerant to high light        and low temperatures than plants of the cultivar Harlequin.    -   2. Plants of the new Euonymus and the cultivar Harlequin differ        in leaf coloration as plants of the cultivar Harlequin have        speckled white and green variegated leaves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Euonymus, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Euonymus.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a side perspective viewof a typical plant of ‘Hooij’ grown in an outdoor nursery.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet is a close-up view of atypical plant of ‘Hooij’ grown in an outdoor nursery.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants grown in Ederveen, The Netherlands, undercommercial practice in containers in an outdoor nursery. Plants had beengrowing for about two years when the photographs and description weretaken. In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except wheregeneral terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Euonymus fortunei cultivar Hooij.-   Parentage: Naturally-occurring branch mutation of the Euonymus    fortunei cultivar Sunspot, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,340.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 20 days at 23° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 35 days at 15° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About three            months at 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About six            months at 15° C.        -   Root description.—Fine; white in color.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form/habit.—Compact, outwardly spreading subshrub;            dense and bushy appearance. Moderately vigorous growth            habit.        -   Plant height.—About 19 cm.        -   Plant width (spread).—About 33 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 33 cm. Diameter: About 3 cm.            Internode length: About 4 mm to 2.4 cm. Strength: Strong.            Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 7B to 144A.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Length.—About 2.7 cm.        -   Width.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Aspect.—Twisting.        -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Yellow, 7B, and            dark green, 133A; speckled with 191C. Developing leaves,            lower surface: 148D. Fully developed leaves, upper surface:            Yellow, 7D, and dark green, 131A; speckled with 191C;            venation, similar to lamina. Fully developed leaves, lower            surface: 148B; venation, 148B.        -   Petiole.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Texture,            upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and            lower surfaces: 154C.-   Flower description: Flower initiation and development has not been    observed on plants of the new Euonymus.-   Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Euonymus have not been    noted to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Euonymus.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Euonymus have been observed    to tolerate temperatures from about −17° C. to about 35° C.

1. A new and distinct Euonymus plant named ‘Hooij’ as illustrated anddescribed.